Either 100% truthful leakage or 100% false rumor, information spreading like wildfire on the internet days before E3 Nintendo news conference of the longly anticipated announcement wait of ‘Project Cafe’. The information leaked revealed all specs for the system, controller, exclusive games at launch and the newly revamped online.

Here’s a breakdown of the leaked information on ‘Project Cafe’;

Project Cafe System
-IBM Triple Core 3.6GHz processor, 1.5gb RAM dev kit speed, 1080p HD, Console similar to 360 dev kit.

Project Cafe Controller
-5.7inch HD (960x640pixel) screen on front. Buttons: 2 analog, 4 buttons, 2 triggers, 2 shoulders, select, home, start. 5.7inch HD screen will be a multi touch screen w/own battery & detachable from controller unit. Controller will be a portable game system & console in one as a portable for streaming gaming.

Project Cafe Games
-Mario launch title platform confirmed for Nintendo’s new console. Nintendo has not done this since N64. Nintendo is working on new Zelda title but unknown to new information & such, secret until E3. Developers teamed w/Nintendo to make Pokemon RPG for new console (not MMO but somewhat connectivity online RPG). New Nintendo IP character confirmed for E3 and will be part of the game line up for new console by Nintendo.

Project Cafe Online
-Unknown to be paid or free. New console to have 24/7 integration & stream. Friend Code system is gone. Newly revamped online system that’s matched to Xbox 360 online universe.

Using a combination of glitches straight out of the schoolyards of our youth, it is actually possible to play as the disembodied hand. The video below shows just how simple, if not easy, it is.

Looks like I’ll be pulling out the ol’ gamecube tonight.

Months ago, TheGamerzZone.com confirmed of a Zelda debut trailer at today’s E3 and producer Eiji Aonuma promised it will be a new feel and change to Link while you play. The trailer and presentation didn’t disappoint.

I understood the foggy intro of all the Link/Zelda games in the past to what is now, a cel-shaded, adult looking link in beautiful forest like landscapes in the background. Basically the Zelda producers wanted to let you gamers know how far and innovative this franchise has gone to what is now the most innovative and interactive way to play Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is what the new Zelda is called. As always, Nintendo can pull off the fancy names all too well. Skyward Sword introduces the new way to control Link in a new control scheme all thanks to the Wii-Motion Plus. It introduces the Wii-Mote and Nunchuck as actual sword and shield in your hands. When you swing the remote, Link swings his sword. When you point your Wii-Mote to the sky, Link points his sword to the sky and his sword charges up, thanks to the Gods as Miyamoto explained during his presentation. When the sword is charged and you swing your remote, a sword wave bursts outward like you were taken back to the very first Zelda game. Skyward Sword will test your body to the limits as any movement you do to your controls is what Link does on your tv screen. What impressed me was the bow & arrow (which was malfunctioning during the actual presentation by Miyamoto but I fully understood what he meant) technique using your Wii-Mote holding arm straight and pulling your Nunchuck hand back like you are actually have a bow & arrow in your hands. What’s brilliant is that you don’t need to point to the screen to make it precise, an excellent nice touch which makes thing a lot less complicated for those with small screens out there. The bombs are handled differently in this game. But of course you have the usual set the bomb down or throw the bomb but with throwing the ball, you swing your remote outward to actually throw the bomb. But what’s newly introduced to the series is rolling bombs, basically the same concept control scheme as the Wii-Bowling from Wii-Sports. Hold ‘A’ to hold the bomb and point the Wii-Mote downwards and roll it forward, release ‘A’ and the bomb rolls as far as you swung it. Brilliant.

Interestingly enough, the onset screen icons show the control schemes you use during the game. I find the Wii-Mote layout and Nunchuck on bottom left of the screen a bit distracting but this is a video preview and the game is still under production. But what revealed on the screen is an new item control scheme where the gamers can stay on the same screen while moving and such to switch items. Miyamoto explained that with a simple push of the ‘B’ button, you can switch items with a breeze. He also explained the new ‘Beetle’ which is basically a scout with limited flight time, searching the sky or over the next cliff to see what is there. You tilt your remote to control the ‘Beetle’ in the sky.

The new Zelda debut trailer and game play didn’t disappointment as promised by Miyamoto and Aonuma. Many fans around the world are pleased to a point that many Nintendo faithfuls, like our very own Frank Falcone, cried during the debut trailers of E3 Nintendo 2010.

One of the few, awesome surprises at this year’s E3 Nintendo Showcase. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the trailer for ‘Donkey Kong Country Returns’.

President of Nintendo America, Reggie Fils-Aime told us about Nintendo telling Retro Studios in Texas, who is responsible for the amazing Metroid Prime Trilogy, to take one of the most beloved Nintendo characters and bring back a franchise that we all loved and played back in the day. When the white screen debuted on the big screen, we hear the sound of jungle themed music with bongos and animals chirping in the background. Nostalgia hit us all, we were introduced to Donkey Kong flying from vine to vine collecting bananas that already indicated the Donkey Kong Country is back. By looking at the trailer, we can say that this is no remake but an enhancement to the original franchise. Also introduced is co-op play similar to New Super Smash Bros Wii where one can control Donkey Kong and the other can control Diddy Kong. Only abilities shown in trailer is Donkey Kong can blow gusts of air and Diddy Kong is back with his jetpack flying with ease.

Thank you Nintendo and most importantly Retro Studios for giving this a shot. Donkey Kong Country Returns this holiday season 2010.

It’s Kirby. What else do I have to say? It looks AWESOME.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn

I want to definitely try this out. I want a giant kirby tank thing…

According to the Official Site:

A classic role-playing game branches out with a new look, countless adventures and heroic battles. The game picks up 30 years after the first two games in the series left off. At the end of Golden Sun: The Lost Age, the heroes succeeded in bringing the world-healing power of the Golden Sun back to the world of Weyard. In the years since, the immense power of the Golden Sun has changed nearly everything. Continents have shifted. New countries have emerged. New species have appeared. But the world is now imperiled by a new threat. Psynergy Vortexes, which suck the elemental Psynergy from both the land and power-wielding Adepts alike, are spreading across the world. The new generation of heroes – the children of those from the previous games – are drawn into the mystery behind the vortexes, as they cross a chaotic world that is succumbing to a new evil.

I get to play as their children? Epic.

After taking a week off to mourn the loss of his dear friend and partner Dillon, Phot is back on the road again, ready to make his way to, and onto, the SS Anne, no matter what it takes.

The opposing trainer sends out a Snake, and Phot responds by sending out KiM.

Snake…uh…glared at KiM. >.>

KiM uses a quick attack, quickly…uh…attacking…the Snake.

Snake responds with a poison sting, thankfully not actually poisoning KiM.

And down goes Snake, down goes Snake. KiM levels up in the process.

Morte quickly takes down most of the Sandshrew’s health.

Sandshrew retaliates with a poison sting of his own.

But it did nothing, and Morte easily takes the Sandshrew down.

In the process, Morte levels up again.

And learns one of the go-to grass moves: Razor Leaf.

Morte uses leach seed on the enemy Zubat, looking to sap health over the course of the battle.

It’s fairly effective, but the Zubat is able to counter with a Supersonic attack…

…which is pretty much useless, thanks to leach seed. Morte uses Razor Leaf, killing the Zubat easily.

Xenu is tasked with taking down the enemy Nidoran.

One hyper fang takes down most of his health.

And another one puts Nidoran down for the count, but not before it poisons Xenu.

The enemy sends out Nidorino, and Xenu, of course, uses hyper fang.

And, just like that, Nidorino is down. Just like that, the fight is over.

The opposing trainer thanks Phot for the fine battle, or something.

Phot arrives at the SS Anne.

Now all Phot needs to do is present his ticket.

Um…wait…

Well…I guess that’s one way to get in…

And that’s all for today folks. Look forward to more E3 coverage and another episode of Hard Mode this Saturday.

]]> http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/06/15/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-6-pokemon-gone-wild/feed/ 5 http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/05/30/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-2-im-dying-squirtle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-2-im-dying-squirtle http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/05/30/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-2-im-dying-squirtle/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 23:20:56 +0000 Nick Salyers http://thegamerzzone.com/?p=1237 I’m gonna take a quick second to plug our Halo: Reach contest. It’s super awesome.

A day late, I know, but this week has been crazy. Anyway, we’re back, with the second Hard Mode for the week, and this one is a big one, so be prepared. When we left off earlier this week, Phot has just “helped” Bill, and was rewarded for his efforts, but there is still much to do in Cerulean, and death lurks behind every corner (Oh Em Gee Foreshadowing).

The Team Rocket thief is apparently insulted by the intrusion to his criminal activities, and so…

rather than run away, or beat the child senseless, he challenges him to a child’s game of cockfighting.

Xenu quickly takes out Machop, with a single well-placed Hyper Fang.

The Rocket grunt sends out a Drowzee, hoping to put Xenu to sleep.

Predictably, Xenu fires off a Hyper Fang attack.

It’s nearly completely effective, but the Drowzee is still standing, and counters back with confusion.

Xenu survives, barely, and attacks quickly with a…well…quick attack (hurr durr).

And the Drowzee is down for the count, and not a moment too soon.

The Rocket grunt sends out a Raticate, and Phot quickly heals Xenu with a rarely used potion.

Xenu’s first attempt at Hyper Fang misses, giving the enemy Raticate a chance to take him out. Is this the end of Xenu? Will L. Ron Hubbard’s followers be forced to invent a new villain? Will the millions[citation needed] of Hard Mode fans be forced to find a new favorite rat to root for?!

Oh…

Shockingly, Xenu utilizes Hyper Fang against the enemy Raticate.

After the Raticate attacks, again nearly killing Xenu, Xenu then counters back with a quick attack, taking the Raticate down for good.

Xenu’s efforts are rewarded with enough experience to push him to level 20…

which is enough to cause Xenu to evolve…

…into a bigger, stronger, angrier looking Xenu.

Phot makes his way south to Vermilion City, home of Lt. Surge and the Electric Gym, and the S.S. Anne.

While healing his team at the Pokemon Center, Phot receives some worthless item or another.

Phot visits the Pokemon Club, and decides to waste the next week and a half listening to the long-winded President’s rambling…

…and listens…

…and listens…

…and is finally rewarded for his efforts with a Bike Voucher, entitling him to one bike, as soon as he can find someone to give him one.

Phot encounters a wild Diglett. Should be simple enough.

After exchanging blows, Dillon is not looking good. Easy enough, Phot’ll just switch him out…

 Oh…

With no ability to swap out, and no attack that can take the Diglett down in one hit, Phot takes the only course of action with any chance of success: catching the Diglett.

But if fails.

And just like that, Dillon falls, for the first and last time.

However, perhaps as retribution, the Diglett is eventually caught, thanks to KiM.

And Dillon is gone. RIP.

That’s it this week folks, sorry about the weird schedule, we’ll be back to normal next week maybe sorta. Tune in next week for the BIG REVEAL OF THE EVIL DIGLETT’S NAME D:

]]> http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/05/30/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-2-im-dying-squirtle/feed/ 10 http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/05/27/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-1-rebirth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-1-rebirth http://thegamerzzone.com/2010/05/27/pokemon-hard-mode-episode-5-part-1-rebirth/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 15:30:54 +0000 Nick Salyers http://thegamerzzone.com/?p=1220 I’m gonna take a quick second to plug our Halo: Reach contest. It’s super awesome.

Now, back to business. Hard Mode is back folks, and it’s the biggest on yet. So big, in fact, I’m gonna give you half of it early, and the other have at it’s regularly scheduled Saturday time. See? Good things come to those who wait. But enough waiting, let’s get on with the Pokemans.

When we last left our hero, he had just taken down the Nugget Bridge, and the Team Rocket Recruiter in charge. But there’s still a Team Rocket presence in Cerulean, and a few more people to see, and small animals to force into a fight for the pleasure of us humans pokemon to catch!

Oh, u mad.

Plenty of youngsters to give Phot a challenge as he progresses along the Cerulean Coast. Chad decides he wants to take a shot.

Chad sends out his first pokemon, and Ekans.

And Phot sends out his Ekans, Dillon, who has a slight level advantage.

After taking a hit, the enemy Ekans attacks with a Poison Sting. The last thing Phot needs as a poisoned pokemon, as this is nearly a guaranteed death sentence.

Oh, wait, nevermind.

Dillon retaliates with Bite, putting the enemy Ekans down for good.

Chad sends out his remaining pokemon, a Sandshrew.

After taking one hit, the Sandshrew does it’s best to protect itself from further attacks.

Dillon fights back with his most effective attack, Bite. But how effective will it be against the Sandshrew’s defenses?

Very. Chad is defeated, his team left dead broken and battered.

Phot continues on his way, and quickly encounters a wild Oddish.

Not seeing any point in screwing around, Phot sends out Xenu, who quickly uses Hyper Fang.

The Oddish is just no match for Xenu’s attack.

Before long, Phot arrives at a small cottage along the coast.

Phot commits federal mail tempering discovers the owner of the house, Bill.

Wait…the fuck? Did that Clefairy just talk?

Oh god, Bill’s a furry.

Oh, turns out Bill is actually Jeff Goldblum.

Anyway, for Phot’s “services” he is rewarded with an S.S. Ticket, allowing him to, later on, ride the S.S. Anne.

Well folks, that’s all for today, but we’ll have part two up for you on Saturday, and we’ll be back to our regular schedule then. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Halo: Reach contest. Seriously, it’s super awesome.

Overview:
Mario has done it again, returning with a great sequel that builds more on the success of the original Super Mario Galaxy. Just like in the original, Mario is tasked with navigating worlds, defying gravity and overcoming mind-boggling obstacles. Super Mario Galaxy 2 offers up more some challenging puzzles, but even the most novice Nintendo player can beat this game with the added ‘play for me’ option, where the computer controls Mario and completes the puzzle for you, making a game challenging enough for a hardcore gamer be approachable for non-gamers.

Setting:
By now, you know the story. Princess Peach gets kidnapped and Mario is the only one who can rescue her from Bowser! Why? “Don’t ask questions,” says Nintendo. “Princesses have to be saved!” Okay then. I’m somewhat tired of repeating myself with the princess-saving, and I was hoping, since this was a sequel, that there might be something new here. But that’s okay, the fun factor of the story is still there. Simply put, there are a bunch of stars, and you collect them, until you have enough to save Peach.

Gameplay:
As I previously stated above, Nintendo added the ‘play for me’ option which lets the computer get you past frustrating challenges. Outside of that, the biggest addition is Yoshi, who, just like in Super Mario Sunshine, changes color depending on the fruit he eats. Some of the berries in the game give Yoshi special powers, like the blimp berry, which gives Yoshi the power to float (I’ll let you figure out what a dash pepper does).

In the previous installment, we were introduced to Bee Mario and Boo Mario. These two suits make a comeback, in addition to two new ones: Rock Mario, which basically turns Mario into a rock, camouflaging him, and allowing for a high powered gravity attack (think Kirby from Super Smash Bros), and Cloud Mario, which turns Mario into surprise, a cloud, allowing Mario to create and walk on clouds.

Like all Mario games, several of the levels are frustratingly difficult, but such is the charm of the Mario series. My favorite change is the enhancement of the 2D levels. Several levels now move from 3D to 2D and back, sometimes messing with the gravity as well, and it works perfectly. The addition of an all-2D world was welcome too.

Controls and Graphics:
Controls are identical to Super Mario Galaxy, and maneuvering Yoshi with the wiimote is just as simple as it has been in the past. On top of that, the graphics are gorgeous. And when I say gorgeous, I mean it: SMG2 is a complete improvement. They fully maximize the power of the Nintendo Wii to make this game look stellar, as though Mario were really flying through space.

Sound:
Charles Martinet, the longest running Mario voice actor, provides the voice of both Mario and Luigi, and the orchestral sounds of Mahito Yokota and Koji Kondo return. Yokota’s works are not well known, outside of Super Mario Galaxy, but if you’ve played a Nintendo game in the last twenty years, you’ve heard Koji Kondo’s work. He’s composed every major Nintendo theme, ranging from Mario and Zelda to Smash Bros. and Star Fox.

Final thought:
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is well worth the price tag. The game features challenging puzzles and the same fun gameplay you’ve come to expect, plus, you get Yoshi, come on. As is becoming a trend with Nintendo as of late (See: Red Steel 2), SMG2 improves completely on the original, and surpasses it easily, without once becoming repetitive. Expect many hours of entertaining gameplay. A must buy.

Grade: A-